British Fast-Food Chain Leon Will Open Its First Virginia Store in Fairfax

The British are coming to Fairfax

Health-minded British fast food chain Leon plans to open its first Virginia location, and third D.C. area store, in Fairfax’s Mosaic District this winter (2905 District Avenue). The chain, which sells “gut friendly” foods like egg pots, avocado feta toast, vegan meatballs, and sweet potato falafel wraps, opened its first stateside location in D.C. last year and plans to bring 15 stores to the U.S. by the end of 2020.

Pre-game the theater

The Occidental begins running a new pre-theater dinner menu tonight to celebrate the new fall season at the neighboring National Theatre. The iconic restaurant’s three-course menu runs from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. ($45 per person, $20 more for wine pairings), with dishes like hard cider-braised pork belly, stuffed portobellos, and chicken breast poached in duck fat. A bourbon-based “Comfy Couch” cocktail is inspired by the run of Mike Birbiglia’s The New One, the Broadway hit opening tonight. Swing by the iconic eatery any time with a ticket stub for 10-percent off the tab (1475 Pennsylvania Avenue NW).

Rey Lopez/For The Occidental

Paella pro adds street cred

Chef Danny Lledó, owner of Slate Wine Bar in Glover Park, just flew home with the Accèsit (runner-up) award from the 59th Annual Paella Valenciana de Sueca International Competition. Only three other Americans have placed in the international Spanish competition since its inception. He expects to open wood-burning Spanish restaurant Xiquet above Slate (2404 Wisconsin Ave NW) in mid-October. Lledó has been making four huge paellas per week for practice. He’s sourcing orange, apple, and maple woods for its Xiquet’s stove and rotisserie.

Danny Ledo [official photo]

New way to find line cooks

Pared, an app that matches restaurants with skilled workers on demand, goes live in D.C. today to help alleviate staffing shortages. The app currently connects Michelin-starred eateries in NYC and the San Francisco across Thomas Keller Restaurant Group, Jean Georges Restaurants, and Altamarea Group. The first D.C. partners loaded on the app include Navy Yard’s Osteria Morini, chef Kevin Tien’s Hot Lola’s in Ballston, and Tien’s soon-to-open Emilie’s on Capitol Hill.

From crème fraîche wings to pizza

Popville spotted signage for a replacement to chef Tim Ma’s Kyirisan, which closed in April at the Shay (1924 8th Street NW). A newly posted license calls for a new TBA restaurant “serving pizza and sandwiches,” with seating for 62 inside and 14 on the patio.

Ch-ch-changes for Tesoro in Van Ness

Eater spotted signage signaling a fresh start for the aging Italian eatery off Connecticut Avenue NW (across from splashy pasta competitor Sfoglina). Starting Tuesday, October 1, expect a new menu, ownership, and look across the reinvented trattoria and pizzeria (4400 Connecticut Avenue NW). Its original chef-owner Ignazio Bonanni, the son of immigrants from Abruzzo, debuted Tesoro with his Sicilian wife, Rosa, in 2000.

Tierney Plumb/Eater DC